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Hot Docs Reveals $2M “Hot Docs Partners” Financing Initiative

11.05.2018

Hot Docs, North America’s biggest documentary festival, has recently unveiled its “Hot Docs Partners” financing initiative. The goal is to connect private investors with Canadian and international feature documentary projects in the course of the next three years.

As lead investor Toronto-based Blue Ice Docs will be devoted to matching investments on a project-to-project basis made by other investors. Elizabeth Radshaw, Hot Docs’ industry program’s director, announced “Hot Docs Partners” at the Hot Docs Forum on May 1st. Leading the Hot Docs’ industry team, Radshaw will be in charge of assessing and recommending documentary projects to investors of Hot Docs Partners. The projects will be evaluated based on their individual needs where after Hot Docs will follow the process of these projects throughout production, release, and distribution.

“Making documentaries is a challenging career and our filmmakers need all the help we can provide. Matching their projects with a community of doc-loving and socially conscious investors is an exciting new initiative, and we recognise Blue Ice Docs and all Hot Docs Partners participants for their robust vision and support.”

Co-owner and director of Blue Ice Docs Neil Tabatznik echoes McDonald’s statement, stressing the vitality of being able to ensure “that outstanding, meaningful and entertaining documentaries continue to get made.”

The “Hot Docs Partners” initiative was announced shortly after the news that Hocs Docs and Netflix have begun a partnership named “Hot Docs Canadian Storytellers Project.” The goal is to help boost opportunities for struggling documentary filmmakers by creating funding and development possibilities.